Middletown New York Orange County Empire Rutans Garage 97 North Street Early Automobiles Real Photo Postcard

The Empire Garage at 97 North Street in Middletown, N.Y., depicted in this early 20th-century postcard, represents a crucial early stage in the widespread adoption of the automobile. The presence of several period vehicles, including a noticeable Buick, alongside signs for Rutan's Garage offering Autos Stored Day & Night, highlights the emerging demand for specialized automotive services in a growing urban center like Middletown, likely between 1905 and 1915.